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Hacker hits Brighton cyber bully campaigner (From The Argus)
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Hacker hits Brighton cyber bully campaigner
2:50pm Monday 11th June 2012 in News
ATTACKED: Nicola Brookes
A hacker broke into a woman’s computer days after she had won a court battle to unmask her online tormentors.
Last week a High Court judge ordered Facebook to release the details of web bullies who had taunted Nicola Brookes from Brighton.
But on Wednesday Ms Brookes found her personal computer had been infiltrated by an unknown user.
Personal emails between her and her lawyers had been opened and crucial case evidence examined.
However, the hapless hacker is believed to have left an unintended calling card behind – their own email address.
Last night Sussex Police said it had launched an investigation into the incident.
Ms Brookes said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found someone had been through my emails. I have no idea how they did it.
“There’s some pretty important stuff in there and it certainly caused a panic.
“I just hope they find whoever did it as soon as possible.”
Ms Brookes, who suffers from chronic Crohn’s disease, suffered “unbearable” online taunts and insults after posting a comment online in support of Woodingdean X-Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza.
At the High Court a judge ordered Facebook to release the personal details of the offenders within four weeks, which the US-based company has agreed to do under Californian law.
Rupinder Bains, from Ms Brookes’ lawyers Bains Cohen, said the hacker would face a possible prison sentence if caught. She said: “Harassing someone online is an offence which could carry a six month jail term.
“But hacking into someone’s personal computer is even more serious. They could face up to a year in jail.
“Apparently they left their own email address on the computer which is incredibly stupid and should hopefully lead to their arrest.”
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Following a report that Ms Brookes' computer had been hacked on Wednesday Sussex Police has contacted her to gather information from her about the incident.”
Comments(14)
Morpheus
says...
6:48pm Mon 11 Jun 12
Fight Back
says...
8:09pm Mon 11 Jun 12
diriky
says...
8:22pm Mon 11 Jun 12
rs
says...
8:42am Tue 12 Jun 12
Its ironic that you should defend someone who's had serious false accusation made against them by doing the same to someone else.
Andy R
says...
9:11am Tue 12 Jun 12
Fight Back wrote:For a "stupid woman" she seems to be doing quite well. She's taken on a huge company and forced it to take some responsibility for its actions - her chances having been effectively written off by most "experts".
Is this stupid woman STILL trying to get column inches ?
What's "Fight Back" ever done?
Fight Back
says...
10:30am Tue 12 Jun 12
AngelicDevil
says...
8:01pm Tue 12 Jun 12
Fight Back wrote:Spot on!
The original story clearly showed she failed to take any precautions to prevent misuse of her Facebook page. If this story is correct then she's also failed to protect her PC. Protecting yourself online is easy and straight forward. Not doing so is akin to not locking your house or car and then complaining someone has stolen something. That is STUPID. To then go public to highlight your stupidity - well what did she expect. I don't condone trolling or theft but equally I have little sympathy when people don't help themselves.
jaime ferrero
says...
8:41pm Tue 12 Jun 12
all_cats_are_grey
says...
10:36pm Tue 12 Jun 12
'The original story clearly showed she failed to take any precautions to prevent misuse of her Facebook page... Not doing so is akin to not locking your house or car and then complaining someone has stolen something.'
What???
Are you seriously claiming that if someone is a bit careless and has a crime committed against them, then it's their fault?
Jeez...
Fight Back
says...
6:59am Wed 13 Jun 12
all_cats_are_grey wrote:Try ringing up your insurance company and explain someone stole something from your home but you didn't lock it and see what answer you get. Agreed the act of stealing wouldn't be your fault but the fact you didn't take reasonable precautions to secure your home would be.
Fight Back wrote:
'The original story clearly showed she failed to take any precautions to prevent misuse of her Facebook page... Not doing so is akin to not locking your house or car and then complaining someone has stolen something.'
What???
Are you seriously claiming that if someone is a bit careless and has a crime committed against them, then it's their fault?
Jeez...
all_cats_are_grey
says...
8:46am Wed 13 Jun 12
Then you absolutely agree that the people responsible for harassing Ms. Brookes should be identified and prosecuted?
After all (to continue with your analogy), regardless of the carelessness or not of the victim, the crime is not that the householder left their doors unlocked, the crime is that someone used that opportunity to do something illegal.
In this case, I assume the 'reasonable precautions' you are suggesting would have been to use a fake name and a fake picture in direct contravention of Facebook's real names policy as a way of ensuring security? And presumably to spend hours getting to grips with Facebook's ridiculous privacy settings to ensure security?
Your basic theme seems to be that the 80% of people who do not lock down their profile or use fake names are 'stupid' for 'not helping themselves'. I disagree. The problem is not the users. The problem is the trolls, and Facebook's failure to tackle the trolls or provide a secure environment for social networking with understandable security controls.
Fight Back
says...
1:26pm Wed 13 Jun 12
all_cats_are_grey wrote:I have no issue at all with the people responsible being punished. I do disagree that Facebook is difficult to lock down and it doesn't require the use of a false name and picture.
@ Fight back...
Then you absolutely agree that the people responsible for harassing Ms. Brookes should be identified and prosecuted?
After all (to continue with your analogy), regardless of the carelessness or not of the victim, the crime is not that the householder left their doors unlocked, the crime is that someone used that opportunity to do something illegal.
In this case, I assume the 'reasonable precautions' you are suggesting would have been to use a fake name and a fake picture in direct contravention of Facebook's real names policy as a way of ensuring security? And presumably to spend hours getting to grips with Facebook's ridiculous privacy settings to ensure security?
Your basic theme seems to be that the 80% of people who do not lock down their profile or use fake names are 'stupid' for 'not helping themselves'. I disagree. The problem is not the users. The problem is the trolls, and Facebook's failure to tackle the trolls or provide a secure environment for social networking with understandable security controls.
all_cats_are_grey
says...
10:37pm Wed 13 Jun 12
My mistake. For a moment there it looked like you were defending the trolls and blaming Ms. Brookes for her predicament.
Goldenwight says...
5:06pm Mon 11 Jun 12
I think that you will find that anyone who was smart enough to hack into someone elses PC is probably smart enough not to leave their calling card. Leaving someone else's email address, though, is a different matter...